Authorities offer ice fishing safety tips

Given recent events, law enforcement officials from Macomb and Oakland counties have come together to provide the following safety tips for those who wish to partake in wintertime recreational activities.

“We’ve had a couple of freezing days, but the ice isn’t very thick,” said Public Affairs Officer Lt. Justin Westmiller from the Detroit office of the U.S. Coast Guard, sector Detroit, adding that “no ice is safe ice.” “If you’re going to go out, be careful.”

While the Coast Guard “doesn’t get into the business of judging ice thickness or safety, we also know that people are going to participate in wintertime, recreation,” Westmiller said.

Given these circumstances, the coast guard and Oakland County Sheriff’s Department recommends taking the following precautions before venturing out:

* Bring your cell phone and make sure it’s fully charged. Also take a marine radio if possible, along with a life jacket and screwdriver. If you do happen to follow through the ice, you can jam it into the surface of the ice, then use it as a handle to pull yourself out.

* Before leaving, be sure to tell someone exactly where you’re going, how long you’ll be and when you expect to return.

* Although no ice is 100 percent safe, the following chart is a recommended guide to help judge recreational use of clear, solid blue ice and help minimize risk:

* — Automobiles are not recommended out on the ice. (This also voids any insurance claims)

* Survey the ice, keeping in mind that ice conditions change day by day, lake by lake and location by location on the same body of water. Some signs of changing ice conditions can be, but are not limited to: moving water near a stream, river, unseen spring or inlet, slushy areas, depressions in the snow, heavy snow, white “milky” or black colored ice and “frazzle” ice weakened by the freeze-thaw cycles. Frazzle ice is pocketed with tiny air pockets and often looks like frozen slush. These are all signs of thin ice or unsafe ice.

* Do not go out alone on the ice. Always take a partner or someone who can call 9-1-1 or go for help in an emergency.

* Do not make the first tracks on the ice. Check with someone who has experience with a particular lake or pond before venturing out.

* Plan ahead by dressing appropriately for changing weather conditions. Dress in layers to protect all exposed parts of your body. Consider wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) as part of your overall protective clothing or a flotation jacket or suit. Ice creepers attached to boots will help to keep you stable on the ice and can assist in self-rescue.

* Check and double-check the ice thickness with an ice spud, auger or cordless drill. If you discover a weak spot, retrace your route off the ice. Keep a distance between others in your group.

* If you hear the ice crack or detect unsafe ice you should stay spread out, immediately lie down (which will distribute your weight) and crawl back to safer ice by the same way you came.

* If someone falls through the ice, do not run to the hole. First, call 9-1-1 and get help on the way and then use a pole, branch, rope or any other handy object, which can be extended to the victim from a safe position. You cannot help if you also become a victim.

* If you fall through the ice, do not panic, because this will only hinder your self-rescue actions. Call out for help and kick your feet while getting your hands and then arms up onto safer ice. This is when the ice awl or screwdriver will help you with your self-rescue. Continue to “swim” up onto the ice far enough to crawl or “roll-out” to safer ice.

* Snowmobiles, ORVs and vehicles on the ice increase your risk of falling through, especially at night. Many accidents occur when operators are driving at a high rate of speed (over driving) and are unable to slow or stop in time to avoid open water or unsafe ice.

* Pets that venture onto unsafe ice are another major cause for many near drownings and deaths. If you find your pet has ventured out onto the ice, resist the urge to go out after them. Stay at a safe position on shore and persuade them back to safety.

* Wildlife that ventures onto unsafe ice is a natural occurrence. Wildlife such as deer are strong swimmers prepared for cold weather and find their own way off the ice by themselves. Most often, wildlife discovered in the water are injured and succumb to injuries from predators or natural forces.

Oakland County offers many outdoor recreation opportunities with our lakes, ponds and rivers. However, before you step out onto the ice we strongly urge you to plan ahead and consider the risks involved. “When in doubt, don’t go out”.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Marine Unit offers: boating, ORV, snowmobile and hunting safety classes to the public. For more information on ice safety or any outdoor recreation safety classes, call The Oakland County Sheriff’s Marine Unit (248) 858-5000 or visit www.OakandSheriff.com.